Mike Covell’s Blogg

It has been on the cards for a while, but this morning I finally got the time to travel through to Beverley and visit East Riding Archives and it wasn’t going to a wasted journey.

I had always wanted a copy of the Marriage of Deeming, under his alias Lawson, to Miss Matheson of Beverley and among the parish registers of St Mary’s Church I found it.  The certificate has seen better days and a large tear exists along the centre, but all the details are readable.

With the certificate in hand I decided to search the Beverley Guardian for the period, and found the Wedding among the BMD’s.  Again, this provided yet more details of the couple.  Especially Deeming, who had writted not one, but two different names and surnames for his father!

Next up I decided to search the same publication for the trial of Deeming in September 1890.  This was the trial where Deeming was charged with Fraudulantly obtaining jewellery from Messrs. Reynoldson and Son.  Not only did I find several newspaper articles pertaining to this case, I also discovered more than was initially featured in the Hull Press at the time!  Among the articles were several local articles with commentary from people that knew Deeming whilst he was in Beverley.

Next up I decided to check the same publication for the year 1892 for the trial of Deeming, and sure enough not only did I find new articles, but many of them featuring the local slant on the case, and interviews with Beverley locals!

After this I perused a scrapbook that featured Deeming on several occasions and consisted of newspaper cuttings from the Yorkshire region. 

I was also informed of two photographs on file of Deeming, and managed to look at one of them taken by Barry of Spring-street, Hull!

The staff at East Riding Archives were fantastic and really helpful, often pointing me in the right direction and helping me with the reader printers which seem to differ from Archival Centre to Archival Centre.

Afterwards I took a walk through Beverley market, taking in the sights and smells of the stalls and made my way up to the St Mary’s Church.  As a child we had visited here, and I had been informed then of the alleged link between Lewis Carroll and the rabbit carved in stone in St Michael’s Chapel here.  After walking around the church I managed to find the rabbit and after asking permission was allowed to snap several photographs.

I also managed to obtain photographs of the Chancel, where Deeming, posing has Harry Lawson, would have stood in 1890, telling his new bride that he was a single man, and thus begining his downfall.

Hull History Centre 

Yesterday I managed to track down several previously unseen reports dating back to the 1890’s regarding Frederick Bailey Deeming.  I had previously found the reports relating to Deeming’s fraud trial in Hull in September 1890 and had heard there were other reports from this period, but sadly these could not be traced. 

I did, however; find over 50 new reports from the Hull Daily Mail dating from April and May 1892 and covering the trial of Frederick Bailey Deeming.  Many of these reports offered new insights into the criminal life of Deeming, and some offered the local slant on events.  Many of the reports came from former Governor of Hull Gaol, Harry Webster, who was in Australia during the trial and who had Deeming, alias Lawson, under is charge at Hull Gaol for the frauds he committed on a Hull Jeweller.

 East Riding Archives

Tomorrow I hope to visit the East Riding Archives and St Mary’s Church in Beverley.  The archives hold all the parish registers for Beverley and I am hoping to obtain the wedding entries for Deeming, under the alias Lawson, and Nellie Matheson. 

Whilst there I also aim to visit St Mary’s Church, a location associated with Frederick Bailey Deeming and Lewis Carroll, a suspect proposed by Richard Wallace in his book Jack the Ripper- Light Hearted Friend.

STEPHENSON 

Well, it’s been a busy month of research, with efforts made to trace more information on some of the people that surrounded Robert D’Onston Stephenson during his life.

Among those targeted where,

• Inspector Thomas Roots
• Rev. Charles Prest
• Bishop Westcott
• Thomas Fowler
• Dr Allan

I managed to secure pictures, newspaper reports, and valuble official records on all 4, as well as many other people.  Most of this material is brand new and has never been published!!

DEEMING

Efforts have also been made in several previously unseen newspaper accounts of Frederick Bailey Deeming and his alleged involvement in the Whitechapel Murders, all of which make interesting reading.

I also traced several previously unpublished newspapers detailing Deeming’s visit and incarcaration in Hull.  All of these offer a fresh new light on this mysterious man!

THE ROYAL STATION HOTEL CONNECTION

Over the years 4 previously named suspects have had links to Hull’s Royal Station Hotel.  This week I managed to trace a very rare copy of a book about the hotel, written by the North Eastern Railway company, and offering valuble insights into the Hotel, it’s formation, and ever changing interior. 

I also managed to trace over 20 newspaper reports, dating from 1854 to 1900, featuring the 4 previously named suspects in conjuction with this wonderful Victorian hotel.

Jack the Ripper- From Hell, From Hull?

The book has expanded at an alarming rate, and now features massive chapters on several suspects with links to Hull.  Among them are

Walter Sickert, the chapter looks at all the authors and theorists that have presented books on this enigmatic man.  Looking indepth at claims made by Patricia Cornwell, Stephen Knight, Melvin Fairclough, Jean Overton Fuller, and Donald McCormick.

Prince Albert, the chapter presents a detailed account of “Bertie’s” several visit’s to Hull, and a massive chapter on his dealings with the Wilson family at Tranby Croft.

Prince Eddy, the chapter looks at Eddy’s many visit’s to the City, his life, and the claims by authors surrounding his alleged involvement in the Whitechapel Murders. 

Frederick Bailey Deeming, the chapter looks at Deeming’s life, criminal past, and visit to Hull.  A full account of Deeming in the Hull Press is also given, alongside the previously unpublished Magistrates papers when he was imprisoned in Hull!

And thats only four of the eight suspects!!

The section of the book on Robert D’Onston Stephenson is taking shape with chapters on his early life, the life of his father’s side of the family, and the life of his mother’s side of the family.

Each chapter is fully referenced, with footnotes, and sources listed for anyone wishing to learn more about the sources of information used. 

In fact, the book is so huge, that a recent investigation showed that the memory card holding the text file only is almost 2GB and rising, forcing me to copy the text files over to a much larger 4GB card!!

Deeming in Hull 

I am currently working on a new chapter on Frederick Bailey Deeming and I am therefore consulting the following,
JTR A-Z
JTR Ult. Sourcebook
Policemen of Hull by A.A. Clarke
Murders of the Black Museum by Gordon Honeycombe
Murder and Crime-Kingston upon Hull, Douglas Wynn
Foul Deeds and Suspicious Deaths in Hull, David Goodman

As well as utilising the primary sources on the Deeming site here,
http://www.prov.vic.gov.au/deeming/

Alongside
Magistrates papers from Hull under the surname Deeming,
Magistrates papers from Hull under the surname Lawson,
Various Hull Press Reports from 1890 to 1892.

The chapter already has 90 footnotes, and I have yet to cover the trial!

Research Trip

Last week and earlier this week I managed to get some time in the field once again at the Carnegie Heritage Centre.

Tomorrow, weather permitting, I am hoping to visit the Sutton Village History Centre.

Christmas Lecture

I am due to appear in Hull discussing my research at Christmas.  Full details have yet to be confirmed, but they will be posted here when they are ready.

It is a well known fact that Victorian Murderer and Con Man, Frederick Bailey Deeming had visited my home town Kingston upon Hull.

He had visited the Royal Station Hotel with his new Bride, before running off to carry out a fraudulent transaction at Reynoldson Jewellers.

During my research into Deeming, I was able to trace the locations of several businesses that he had visited whilst he was here, I was also to get trade directory entries for them, maps and some recent photos.

I also wrote to Hull Prison where Deeming was imprisoned in 1891 for fraud!!

Here is there reply when I asked if they had any records of his stay,

Dear Mr. Covell

Thank you for your letter dated 13th April 2007.

Unfortunately we are unable to assist you in your request as we do not keep prisoners records for more than seven years.

I am sorry we cannot help.

Yours sincerely

A WATSON

Head of Operations